News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-07-14


close proximity and thechild was drop !
ped and recovered, and returned unin- |
jured to the parental arms. This part of
the programme was a scene pictured !
from life in the great West, the horrors |
of which were so often repeated years |
ago, and was executed in the most skill |
: ful manner, giving evidenre of the Won
derful ability of our boys to assume in
deed and garb the wild lifeot the frontier.
When qmetness was restored and the |
different parts OF the procession separat- |
ed by the excitement had been brought |
together, camera was set opposite the |
Mansfield House and several pictures of
the drum corps, man eatef, Indians, cow
boys. burlesque band, fire brigade and |
other things were taken hy Prof Dale, of
waterbury. The picturs are excellent,
considering the conditions under which
they were taken.
Dinner hour had uncomciously arrived
and the early rising and bng rides taken
by many, made appetites vigorous. and
the several hotels aud citing booths at
once became places of Gmmon resort.
Ample preparation had ben made to sat-
isty the hunger and thirstof all. Besides
our own, shop men from Montpelier and
Waterbury lined the streas and sold off
their goods to satisfy the wants of the
needy. Inc citizens band was very gen
erously entertained by thehotels, and the
drum corps and members Of the different
u. a. Il. Posts found free entertainment
at the Town Hall, which was reserved
Tor their exclusive use, The dinner being
provided by the kindness of the ladies,
VINO ever appear first and nost willing in
any like effort.
The Ladies' Aid Socbty of Unity
Church had a large canvss booth near
Miles u McMahOn's Store where many
were entertained. Large pic-nic parties
We're numerous and furnished much
pleasure for the participants.
But we must not forget tle thanks due |
from the public to the God Templars |
for the free and liberal supply Of cold |
water to the children AM others who
! became thirsty. They ket, in a cOnve
| nIent place on Main Street a large tank |
filled with ice-Water for thtcomfort and |
need of all. By the kinazess of MI.
| Doollttle, proprietor of tie Mansfield
House, the hotel park a,d pond had
| been prepared for publiGAR.
A large stand with canvas covering
llad Deen erected at the farther end of |
| the grounds, where ample room and |
Slade could be had for the comfort of |
IhoSe who wished to listen TO the music |
and addresses.
when two o'clock had arrived the
SIanQ was found occupied by the Citizen |
oand With Hon. w. II. Il Bingham as
honorary president, and Hon. Geo. Will |
kihS OF Stowe and Hon. NJ. A Bingham |
i % Essex SSfe Junction as speakers. The
local Glee Club was also present.
The Hon. Geo. w. Wing of Montpe-
her, who was advertised to be here as
orator OF the day, in consequence of his |
dutleS at home, found it impossible to |
be present.
A strong wind prevailed, rendering it |
difficult to speak to SO large a crowd as |
was assembled around the stand, and |
thousands walked or talked liStlessly |
about the grounds.
Both, the Band and Glee Club, merit |
great credit for their music and the
speeches of Mr.. Wilkins. who spoke first, |
and Mr.. Bingham were filled with patri-
otlSm, freedom to all of whatever race |
or color, and were in keeping with the |
old time glOries of the day.
Ihe speeches were worthy of close |
attention and it is to be regretted that |
so few of the many could get in positions |
where the quietnesS of the air would per-
NIT them to hear.
After the exercises at the stand swim
ming race III the pond Nag-announced |
Flags were placed at points several rods
apart. Around the more distant one the |
competitors were to swim and return to !
the starting point. The first prize was !
won by Mr.. Stewart, of Brooklyn, n. |
y; End, by Frank Cody of Stowe |
There followed slow horse race on |
Main Street. LIST prize won by George
CampbelPs horse; End prize by Henry
Pixies horse. In WheelbarrOW race, LIST
prize won by Otto Styles; End prize by !
Ed. MuZzy. In running race, LIST prize
won by Fred PlOOf; Ind prize by Frank
Smith.
These competitive exercises were in
tersperSed with music and were entered
into with much spirit by the different
contestants and furnished much merri- !
ment for the people. They are old-time
sports, instituted centuries ago as a pas
time and physical training among the
youth, and having lost none of their eX-
element, are now enjoyed and entered
into with as much vim and enthusiasm
as then. A people who engage in sports
of this nature braced by the lnvigOrating
air of New England cannCts be 9therWise
than possessed of strong and healthy
minds and bodies. AS in the DAYS u
Athenian and Spartan glory, are Gney
now the characteristics Of a liberty lOY-
ing and vigorous manhood.
The afternoon was fast waning and 1t
became evident by the quiet departure
of here and there team, that those who
had left their homes so early in the
morning must of need return and ar
range their chores that they might be
present during the exercises of the even
| ing. Their absence, however, was not
| long, for ere the sun had hid his rays
behind the ViSage of Old Mansfield the
streets seemed to be crowded, and the
thrCngs undiminiShed.
The appearance of a thirtY-foOt fire
balloon before dark greatly excited those
who had been fOreWarned Of its coming,
and were fortunate in being in positions
to see it. 1t rose gradually from the
park and passed to the northWard, barely
escaping the hotel barn; but when suffi-
GENTLY up current of air carried it rap
idly away. How majestically it moved
through space, and how earnestly it was
watched by the countless upturned eyes
until it passed out of sight, The moon
shOne in all its fullness, and as if so
Willed, marred not, but added its bril-
liancy to the occasion. To witness
torchl-ight professions and fireworks, we
ought to have a dark night was an oft
repeated expression. But with us it
proved unnecessary. When the evening
had fully arrived and the multitude APP
peared at its maximum, a long torch
light procession headed by the band and
drum corps formed at the Town Hall,
and, in double file, marched to quiet
music through Main towards Maple
Streets. When near Unity Church the
large bell in the Town Hall rang an ear
nest fire alarm which was Immediately
answered by the appearance OF the bur
lesque hOOk-and-ladder company which,
! with flying Steeds, came from the south
and passed through the streets, the torch
light procession and bands opening to
, the right and left to give it way. 1t was
= burlesque in every feature and sufficient
to brighten the most obstinate fire out of
existence, The whole thing was well
laid out and well executed and greatly
/ pleased the crowd. Several balloon
ascenSionS and an extensive pyrotech-
: mic display still awaited to complete the
/ days dOings. The tOrch-light procession
/ advanced by music led the multitude to
= the part where the people, seated or
= standing, as they pleased, might witness
G the further exercises.
e The tireWOrks-set pieces, rockets,
and tire balloons, of which there We're
several, were all and even more than
could be expected in any coantry town,
and were trulymagnifcent. Situated on
the opposite side from th audience,
q their reflection on the WATERWAYS exceed
). Ingly beautiful and great admiration
:, was often expressed by thoss from other
, towns and from the guests 1T the hotel
3 What ecstasy of delight it gave the child
q rem as they witnessed the gIand display.
How beautiful We're the sci pieces, and
how maJestically did the numerous fire
II balloons soar III the heavens. Was it
II art alone, or was it humaa aid to the
y Wondrous works of Code How grand